News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1887-10-20
THE MAN COULD SELL GOODS.
The Story Told of a New York Drum
mcr.

A New York merchant tells the story
of a green drummer, who when out on
the road after the old men of the house
had failed to sell certain line. The
merchant said: ''Well, he was back in
side of a week, and in that time he sold
7 won't venture to say from memory
how many cases of goods. But / re-
member lie did surprisingly well. And
what made his success the more remark
able, he got his orders in thevery towns
which my old salesman that I've men
toned worked to no purpose. Along
came Porter's kilograms, send two cases
! here send two cases there send six
cases yOnder, etc. On his return [ in
vited him to come into my private Office,
and congratulated him on the work
he had done. He seemed gratifed at
my commentator, but all he said was:
4 thought could sell some goods for
you, Mr.. Holbrook.' Then [ spoke to
( him about the largest order he had Sc
cured. His eyes lit up as he remarked;
"'It was a tough job getting that or
der. L thought at first Twas going to lose
it.
"'How so?'
"'Well, [ went into the mans store,
and talked to him most of the afternoon,
but couldn't fetch him. He said he
liked the goods; he didn't kick at the
price, but he wouldn't decide. 1 went
back to my hotel disappointed but after
supper felt better, and determined I'd
go up to his home and make him q So
cial call so that he wouldn't forget me,
you see?'
&c yes, see."
well, in the EVENING" called round
to his house about s o'clock. 1 didn't
know him or any of his folks, and natur-
ally felt little embarrassed.
90 Naturally.
'F Yes, but [ told him that I disliked
hanging around a hotel and took the
liberty of calling on him. He answered
the door bell himself and seemed glad to
see me. He had four pretty daughters
pretty soon me and the girls were sing
ing some popular songs, as nice as you
please.
60 4 didn't know you sang, Porter.
20, 1 sing little, Mr. Holbrook. I
find it helps me in selling goods. Well,
after the songs, l sat down at the piano
and played the girls new waltz or two
that they hadn't heard, and then l felt
that we were real good friends.
And so you are piano player.
"'Well, manage to do few tunes
[ find it helps in our business, Mr..
Holbrook. The girls father sat by and
seemed to be greatly entertained with
the music, and when got up from the
piano he thanked me heartily. Don't
speak of it, said 1. Then the girls and
got talking about one thing and
another and pretty soon [ noticed
banjo standing in n corner, decked
out with bright ribbons. [ asked the
girls which one of them played it, and
they said they got it for ornament, and
that none of them could play on it. So
greatly to their delight got down the
banjo and gave them lesson on it.
" Then the banjo is another of your
accomplishments, Porter?
&c 4 can pick the strings little, Mr..
Holbrook-I find it helps in selling
goods Well stayed until IL o'clock,
and when [ took my leave the father
and all his girls came to the door with
me and politely invited me to call again
when [ came to town. Ididnt see their
mother. Ipresume she was dead, but
I didn't think it proper to ask. Next
day / went into the mans store bright
and early. He tried to beg off with
taking one case of my goods, but [
wouldn't hear of it. Take six or moth
ing, said [; one case will help to sell
another" Finally he gave in and ran
to the telegraph Office and sent you his
order.
"'Porter,' | remarked with as grave
face as I could command us he finished
his narrative, here is one caution that
[ must give you. Be careful when you
are off on the road to refrain from in
trlding upon another salesman's terri
tory To do so makes trouble in the
store
''I'Il try and do so, but l suppose you
want me to sell all the goods I can, Mr..
Holbrook? 2
$50, yes. Let's see, Porter, what sal
aTy are you drawing?
Seventy dollars a month, Mr.. Hol
brook
"'And you have been with us how
long?'
d" Two months on Thursday
" and You wanted how much when
you came!'
"'Well, I told you thought would
be worth 81 800 to you
every good, 81, 500 it is, your salary
at that figure dating from the day you
began
q 'Thank you very much, Mr.. Hol-
brook think can sell some goods for
Won